A blog about brews, pubs and travel

Berlin XIX – A beer shop around the corner

Strolling around the streets near my hotel one morning, watching people on their way to work and school, I saw a sign for a bottle shop, a Getränkemarkt. I know that this type of shop is common in Germany, but I have not been to one before. I did not have any desperate need for more beer, as the box of Bavarian beers had arrived. Still, it is interesting to have a look.

The Getränke Hoffmann shares a parking lot with an Aldi shop, and it is clearly aimed at those who buy their beer in quantities. It is cheaper if you buy a crate, and most of the shop is dedicated to industrial pils in quantities. Soft drinks, wine and spirits, too.

But there are also a few imports and a fair selection of beers from smaller breweries. I purchased a few bottles from a display of seasonals, spring being the time for Osterbier and Maibocks, usually pale and strong. An Altenmünster Maibock from the Allgäuer Brauhaus was the best of them. It came in a lovely swing top bottle. Dark gold, fruity and with a liberal dose of aromatic hops. Grapefruit and grass in the tail. Right now it is on sale – 16 bottles for 12 Euros, according to their web site.